Last week it was announced that the All Blacks will play Samoa in Samoa for the first time ever. To mark the occasion, here is a quick video of a great moment between the two sides in 1999, featuring the Umaga brothers as they went head to head.
A week ago it was confirmed that the long overdue, historic meeting between New Zealand and Samoa will take place in Apia in July 2015. The match will serve as preparation for both sides for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but more significantly it will be their first ever meeting on Samoan soil.
It’s been a long time coming, with many of the strongest current and past New Zealand stars coming from Samoan heritage. The gesture will go a long way with the extremely talented nation.
“Many players in our team have strong ties to Samoa so this Test will be a great occasion for all of us. It will only enhance the links between our two countries,” said All Black coach Steve Hansen.
“There is also a lot of respect for Manu Samoa and playing them at home will make this a great challenge – one we will all look forward to.”
The match will take place on 8 July 2015, with broadcast details to be confirmed nearer the time.
In June of 1999 the two sides met at North Harbour Stadium in New Zealand and there was a great moment in the very first minute of the match, as Samoa’s Mike Umaga failed to find touch, but instead found his younger brother, Tana.
The hard-running winger zeroed in on him, showing that there’s no room for sentiment on the rugby field. Mike is seven years his senior, so maybe Tana had a bit to prove. Umaga senior tackled him well, but it was a decent bit of contact, perhaps with neither player getting the upper hand.
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